Open Thread Wednesday

By on September 30, 2020 7:29 am in open thread

What’s on your mind? Comment away!

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  • CassieVonMontague

    Former de Blasio aide floats rental vacancy plan in upstart Council campaign

    https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/albany/story/2020/10/01/former-de-blasio-aide-floats-commercial-vacancy-tax-in-upstart-council-campaign-1319258

    Lincoln Restler, a former aide to Mayor Bill de Blasio who got his start in politics taking on the Brooklyn Democratic Party machine, is running for City Council in a crowded primary.

    Restler registered a campaign account on Tuesday for the eight-way race to replace the term-limited Steve Levin in a district that spans wealthy Brooklyn Heights…

    The “Lower NYC Rent” proposal would entail a city mandate that landlords register vacant properties with the city Department of Finance, which would compile a database of the addresses. Owners would be permitted to list those units for market-rate rents for three months. If the sites continue to remain unoccupied, an accompanying state bill would drive prices down.

    Specifically, the Albany legislation would require residential rents be automatically reduced to the federally-determined fair market rates and landlords accept housing vouchers from low-income and homeless applicants.

    Rents on empty storefronts would be dropped by 10 percent after three months and another 10 percent each subsequent three months, with a possible exemption for delayed implementation due to well-documented financial hardship, Restler said

  • TeddyNYC

    Yeah, I ate at the Metrotech location once. It’s just not as convenient for that occasional quick burger fix. I guess a street level Court St. location would have been better for them.

  • Jorale-man

    Yes, the obvious perk of the ferry is that you can ride on the roof. I have an appointment I need to make on the UWS next week. Will probably take the ferry to 34th Street and get a Citibike from there, assuming the weather cooperates. Not ready for the subway anytime soon.

  • Karl Junkersfeld

    Here is a video I did on the first day of ferry service in NYC. A wonderful SAFE way to travel in the era of COVID-19.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQ6mX1jGjaQ

  • Cranberry Beret

    NYC DOT plans to start replacing the BQE’s Hicks Street wall as early as next week (October 5). Mechanical removal of 1-2″ of concrete along the entire 550′ wall that runs as high as 36′. Exit 28A will be closed through mid-December and then again all next summer. (Unclear whether Hicks Street itself will be closed to Old Fulton.) Work 7am-6pm M-F and possibly Saturdays. No word on any mitigation techniques to stop noise and dust in the North Heights including PS8 (100′ away from the work site). The school is required under COVID19 procedures to keep windows open. The same NYC DOT approved PS8 to use Poplar Street (75′ from the work site) for outdoor learning 2 weeks ago. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/49df18cf4203cbcd1619b132e424ab6d3480c6e2f3542d629997725376058c97.jpg

  • Cranberry Beret

    Yes, I forgot to state the obvious – use the roof! It boggles my mind the people who take the ferry to avoid the subway, and then sit inside.

  • Cranberry Beret

    Ella Crown Bakehouse — a small new bakery/coffee shop on north side of Atlantic Ave between Henry & Clinton that opened during the pandemic. (What timing! I admire their NYC attitude!) Nice cookies and mini cheesecakes. Haven’t tried the coffee yet. I’m guessing the main business is supply of restaurants and catering and the retail is just a bonus? In any case, nice to see a new storefront.

  • Reggie

    Multi-modal! Right on!

  • Andrew Porter

    I talked to one of the people involved in the Poplar Street garden, and they’re not sure how this will affect them. Just hoping for the best.

  • Anon

    This is really unbelievable that they would start the work just as the school year starts. If the school year wasn’t tough enough already, do we really need to add construction noise and dust to the challenges students face at PS8? Write to HicksStreetWallRehab2020 at gmail dot com to let the city know now is not the time for this.

  • Andrew Porter

    I’ve been taking the subway from Clark Street to Eastern Parkway—going to the Botanic Garden—and the train is very clean, everyone sitting far apart, wearing masks.

  • Andrew Porter

    Now I know it’s fall: it’s stinky gingko season, sidewalk along eastern side of Hicks between Montague and Pierrepont coated with squished, smelly gingko fruits.

  • Bornhere

    Those living around Joralemon and Henry have, for several weeks, been treated (?) to the sound of baying/barking dogs several times a day. It’s almost like special effects for a wonderful Sherlock Holmes film.

  • Nomcebo Manzini

    Great video…. For some reason, it appears not possible to see it full-screen. Right-click [PC], copy the URL and put that in a browser to get – valuable here – a GOOD view of the trip.

    One other comment re the astute observations above re mass transit, now (more than ever) looking like a sacrificial lamb during a cash shortage brought on in part by Cuomo’s decision to let millionaires & billionaires lease 57th Street: Gotta wonder how the “Hornblower Company” came to have a monopoly with the City shoveling money their way. I’m not suggesting a bribe – although I won’t rule it out. Just wondering why – after Cuomo put 2 miles of track up 2nd Av. for I don’t know how many billions, the powers that be didn’t invest a tiny fraction of that in a “municipal” ferry system. Might not have been cheaper, but you wouldn’t have the current awful “optics!” (And don’t forget that had it not been for Covid, likely the ferry would be seen as proof positive that Bill put tourists and those lucky enough to live near water [yes, mostly white & well-to-do] ahead of all else!)

  • http://www.yotamzohar.com StudioBrooklyn

    I take it one short stop and use my bike on either end, so riding outside—especially on top—doesn’t really make sense, unfortunately (though I do prefer it). Inside the ferry there is plenty of air circulation, everyone sits very far apart and wears masks. It’s easy to go the whole time without touching any surfaces, unless of course you are going through the rear doors or up and down the rear stairs.

  • BK Heightser

    Apparently work has already begun. From what I hear the workers are wearing respirators, yet it’s okay to do this same construction right next to an elementary school with kids just a few yards away? What a world we live in. What a city/state government we have.

    As a songstress once said “I believe the children are our are future. Teach them well and let them lead the way. Show them all the beauty they possess inside. Give them a sense of pride to make it easier. Let the children’s laughter remind us how we used to be.”

    What say you Councilman Stephen Levin? Let your voice be heard.

  • Aurelie

    Hello, I have been a resident of the neighborhood until 2014, came back today on this blog that I loved back then, only to discover that Jack the Horse, Le pain quotidien and Teresa are closed. :-( Makes me sad and nostalgic. I hope it’s for the best.

  • Sen. Bob Forehead
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